The Whole Counsel of God Numbers 6
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Feb 25, 2026 A verse-by-verse look at Numbers 6, focusing on the Nazirite vow and what it meant to set oneself apart to God. Clear descriptions of abstentions like avoiding wine, letting hair grow, and avoiding the dead. Discussion of vow rituals, sacrifices, and how these practices connect to later Christian asceticism and New Testament examples.
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What A Nazarite Vow Actually Entailed
- Nazarite vows set a person apart to God with strict abstentions like no wine, grapes, or intoxicants.
- Fr. Stephen links lifelong Nazirites (Samson, St. John) and temporary vows (St. Paul) to different spiritual callings.
Why St John Appears Wild Haired
- Fr. Stephen explains Nazarites shaved at vow start then let hair grow, giving rise to images like St. John the Forerunner's long hair.
- He stresses ancient Near Eastern hair textures made long hair look big and bushy, not just straight.
Vow Sanctity Over Family Obligations
- Nazarites had to avoid corpse contact even for close relatives; the vow to God took precedence over family duties.
- If defiled by a sudden nearby death they restarted the vow, shaved on day seven, and repeated offerings.